![]() Several of these are well known in Nigeria, significantly concentrated around the capital city of Old Oyo, Ilorin to its south, and the Egbado area (Otta) near the coast. While the lateritic soils in much of West Africa make possible small-scale smelting of iron, large-scale smelting depends on the occurrence of rich ore deposits. Control of iron and its sources, therefore, meant control of military force. ![]() Without an advanced iron technology the weaponry that made political expansion possible could not be manufactured. The smithing and smelting of iron was a prerequisite for state formation in this area of tropical Africa. Certainly at Benin by the 13th to 14th centuries iron smelting was well established (Connah 1975:34-5). By the end of the 1st millennium A.D., iron use and ironworking were widespread throughout Nigeria: in the northern savannah by the 1st or 2nd century (Connah 1981: 146-7 Shaw 1978:96-7) and by the 9th (Shaw 1970: 67, 260) in the southern forested area. quantities of slag, and over a dozen furnaces, as well as domestic pottery and terracotta figurines (Shaw 1978: 79-80). Archaeological excavations at Taruga uncovered wrought iron objects. At the site of Taruga an advanced iron technology existed as early as the 0th century B.C. The earliest known ironworking in sub-Saharan Africa is now believed to have occurred in what is today central Nigeria. Then we shall turn to the sacralization and deification of iron and its representation in the visual arts of these kingdoms. In this essay we intend to introduce the history of iron and explain Its role in state building along the Guinea Coast. Ogun is the god of iron and its multitudinous uses. It is no accident, we think, that these states also share a god, Ow (Cu), whose character, exploits, and powers reflect their own accomplishments, including the extensive warfare that made them formidable powers in pre-colonial West Africa. All of these states based their political supremacy on violence and aggression. These states included the Edo kingdom of Benin, the Fon kingdom of Dahomey, and a series of Yoruba kingdoms, the most famous of which was Oyo (see map). Their domination was based on well organized and heavily equipped armies using a highly developed iron technology and, in some cases, mounted divisions. For reasons of space it was not included there however, it should be read in conjunction with that Issue.Īlong the Guinea Coast of West Africa there is a cluster of conquest states that rose to power in the period between 14 and dominated large areas of the forest belt for several centuries. 1 (Fall 1902), the special issue on Archaeometallurgy. This article was intended originally for EXPEDITION 25 no.
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